KOTANG KOTA SA KOTA KINABALU!
(March 27-30, 2015)
As early as the 1940's, Kota Kinabalu, then called Jesselton, was nothing more than a few traditional bamboo houses, built on stilts over the shallow water of the tranquil bay. Restored photos from this era can be seen in the Magellan Club area of the Magellan Sutera at the Sutera Harbour Resort.
At this time, it was also not the capital of Sabah, and only later replaced Sandakan as the state capital. During the Second World War it was invaded by the Japanese and consequently virually flattened by Allied bombers. Today, a Japenese war memorial can be found towards Luyang, frequently visited by Japanese. Other traces of the occupation is evidnent in the Japanese style of hot baths found at Pouring Hot Springs.
After the War, Kota Kinabalu was rebuilt into the fairly modern city it is today, renamed and around 1949 become the state capital. With more and more direct connection to various countries, Kota Kinabalu is rapidly developing
Source: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g298307-s203/Kota-Kinabalu:Malaysia:History.html
At this time, it was also not the capital of Sabah, and only later replaced Sandakan as the state capital. During the Second World War it was invaded by the Japanese and consequently virually flattened by Allied bombers. Today, a Japenese war memorial can be found towards Luyang, frequently visited by Japanese. Other traces of the occupation is evidnent in the Japanese style of hot baths found at Pouring Hot Springs.
After the War, Kota Kinabalu was rebuilt into the fairly modern city it is today, renamed and around 1949 become the state capital. With more and more direct connection to various countries, Kota Kinabalu is rapidly developing
Source: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g298307-s203/Kota-Kinabalu:Malaysia:History.html
TRAVELOGUE/ITINERARY:
Day 1: WALKING TOUR/CITY TOUR
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We checked in first at stay in lodge. I booked this through Agoda. Location wise, it's very convenient to restaurants and other establishments. It is situated in the area where the sunday market is operating. You can also see the Atkinson's tower from the window if you are in the washing area/common rest room area.
Since we arrived around lunch time, we decided to eat after checking in at the nearby restaurant. Based on our itinerary, we should start our city tour that afternoon, but aside from that, that was also the time for us to hunt for the cheapest tour package in the area. After eating, we continued walking along Jalan gaya street. 1. ATKINSON's TOWER This is just located at the back of our hostel. Take time reading the history of the tower for you to appreciate it. 2. SIGNAL HILL OBSERVATORY From Atkinson's tower, we continued walking, we were heading North. That was also the time that we were looking for other hostels/budget hotels that offer cheap Kinabalu park tour. Luckily, we found a cheap one (cheaper than what our hostel offered). After talking to the Filipina owner of the hostel, we continued our walking tour. Our next stop: Signal hill observatory Get ready to sweat and climb the stairs going to the observatory. You'll be rewarded with a great view of the city. You may also stay here 'til sunset since you can see some parts of the coastal area/sea. 3.. BLUE MARLIN STATUE After the tiring climb to the observatory, we went down and headed to the blue marlin statue. This is one of the iconic parts area/symbol of the city. You can easily navigate the place since it's only small and not to complicated compared in other cities. 4. CITY STATE MOSQUE Based on my original plan, we had our sunset viewing here. I am a Catholic but I really admire the structure of the mosques. To get here, you need to rent a taxi. It would be much better if you'll have the roundtrip, the driver will wait for you, because it's a way cheaper and practical. Sunset viewing at City state mosque. 5. DINNER @ JALAN GAYA After the sunset viewing, we went back to the place where we hailed the cab/taxi. It was just outside a mall. That was also the time for us to have our dollars and peso exchanged to ringgit in a money changer. As we heading back to the hostel, we decided to eat along Jalan gaya. We tried beef laksa in this restaurant. |
Day 2: TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN MARINE PARK TOUR
When we went to see the blue marlin statue, we met a Filipino tour coordinator who offered us a cheap island hopping tour. I already forgot his name, but according to him you can just see him in the area. After few minutes of conversation, we were convinced to get the tour package.
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1. BREAKFAST @ YEE FUNG LAKSA
Inspired by Byahe ni Drew, it's a sin if you will not eat and try the famous yee fung laksa. Luckily and surprisingly, it's just few blocks away from stay in lodge. Actually, our plan was to try it during our first day but unfortunately when we went there around 5:00 PM, it was already closed. Can you imagine that? Laksa would always be the first thing that I'll remember about Kota kinabalu. Aside from its authetic taste, the serving was also big that it can keep you full for a couple of hours. I also tried their local milk tea and it tasted great. After that sumptuous breakfast, we headed to the boulevard, near blue marlin statue, to meet the tour coordinator. We were accompanied by two more boatmen and we share the boat with an Indonesian couple. 2. PARASAILING I can't believe and I was so happy that my first parasailing adventure would be in other country. I've been trying to look for the cheapest one in Boracay but I always end up not availing it because it's too expensive. We went to Pulau mamutik, that's the area where we had the parasailing adventure. It was so fun and I super love the experience. 3. PICTURE TAKING @ PULAU MAMUTIK Yes, we were not able to enjoy the water and the atmosphere of the island because we were not allowed to alight the boat. We were told to just stay on the boat and wait for few minutes. The only thing we did there was to wait 'til our turn in doing parasailing, picture taking and to use the rest room. 4. SWIMMING @ PULAU MANUKAN Like what I read on different blogs, this island is best for swimming and spending a longer time. The beach area is bigger and longer compared to the other two that we visited. 5. LUNCH Still in Mamutik island. We tried their own version of turo-turo/carinderia. They also have the same menu like in the Philippines. I also tried their own style of Halo-halo. However, I got disappointed with the taste. It wasn't delicious for me. 6. SNORKELING @ PULAU SAPI Do not miss the chance of seeing the life under the sea. Though it's not that spectacular, you can still see some species of colorful fish. This is also the island where you can see the monitor lizard. However, in our case, we did not see it. Instead, we saw a wild boar. 7. DISCOVERING JESSELTON POINT As we go back to the city, we wanted a picture with this arc so we walked going there. 8. DINNER @ WATERFRONT We went back to the hostel and rest. Based on our itinerary, we should go back to the boulevard to witness the sunset there. Unfortunately, we were too tired that we wanted to lie and take a nap. So we just stepped out of the hostel to eat dinner at waterfront. It was also featured in Byahe ni drew but we were not able to remember the exact restaurant. We looked for a restaurant that offers the cheapest (again and again) food in the area. We found Aesha corner and I tried its best seller; ;sizzling lamb. |
Day 3: KINABALU PARK TOUR
We were lucky that we did not avail anymore the expensive Kota kinabalu park tour. Those Indonesian couple, who were with us in the island hopping tour, were like heaven-sent and offered us to join them since they already rented a private car for the tour. We saved around 50 ringgit and we're just five in the car including the driver.
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1. KINABALU PARK TOUR
Before reaching the park, there will be a place that you will see the majestic Mt. Kinabalu. It's a must stop at that area and take a picture. Unfortunately, it was bit cloudy during that time so we were not able to see the whole mountain. However, it's stil okay because we saw the tip part. 2. THE UPSIDE DOWN HOUSE OF BORNEO We passed by first the upside down house of Borneo. 3. BOTANICAL GARDEN If you are interested with plants, then this is the best place for you to visit. I am not into plants but I was hoping to see a rafflesia, so I was still excited to explore the place. You need to walk/trek to get to the garden. Be cautious and vigilant in following the map because it 's a bit confusing. When we reached the botanical garden, we explored it right away. Unfortunately, there wasn't any single mark of the precious flower. We asked one of the tour guides and he said that it can be seen in the hot spring area, our next destination. We headed next to the poring hot spring area. |
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3. LUNCH
We had our lunch in a town/eatery along our way. I was amazed with the magnificent view of the mountain ranges. 4. PORING HOT SPRING After two hours, we reached the poring hot spring. There were a lot of people in the area so we did not take a dip anymore. 5. CANOPY WALK Following the map, we went to area where canopy walk can be done. It was an amazing experience. After the canopy walk, we decided to go back to KK because it was already late and other attractions in the area far. I was hoping that there's still Sunday market but when we came back, Jalan gaya was already clear, no more stalls and products. It returned to its normal way. 6. SUNSET WATCHING @ THE BOULEVARD We can't miss the sunset for our last night in the city that is why after resting, we immediately went to the boulevard to witness it. 7. DINNER @ FILIPINO MARKET Finally, after confirming where the Filipino market was, we ordered for the best sea foods in the city. |
Day 4: LAST MINUTE SHOPPING and SOUVENIR HUNTING
TRAVEL EXPENSES: (Thanks for this Krissie!)
DAY 1
RM 30.00: Taxi to Hotel
RM 24.50: Lunch for two
RM 4.00: Coke for two (Signal Hill)
RM 3.00: Water for two (Signal Hill)
RM 10.00: Deposit Island Hopping for Day 2
RM 50.00: Taxi to City Mosque
RM 21.00: Dinner for two (Curry Laksa)
RM 11.00: Evening Snack (Ketul and Drinks)
RM 18.00: Food, Water and Supplies
DAY 2
RM 21.00: Breakfast for two (Yee Fung Laksa)
RM 270.00: Island Hopping Package for two plus Parasailing
RM 17.00: Island Lunch for two
RM 10.00: Ice Kacang for two
RM 51.00: Dinner for two (Waterfront Bay)
RM 19.00: Evening Snacks
DAY 3
RM 14.00: Food supplies, water and bread for two
RM 17.00: Breakfast for two at KFC
RM 17.00: Lunch for two (Chicken Noodle)
RM 5.00: Camera Fee at Poring Hot Spring
RM 4.00: Soda drink for two
RM 176.00: Private Car and Tour Entrances for two
RM 21.00: Dinner for two
RM 10.00: Evening Snack (Ketul)
RM 9.00: Buko Pandan for 1 person
DAY 4:
RM 30.00: Taxi to airport
RM 10.00: Drinks for two (airport)
RM 30.00: Taxi to Hotel
RM 24.50: Lunch for two
RM 4.00: Coke for two (Signal Hill)
RM 3.00: Water for two (Signal Hill)
RM 10.00: Deposit Island Hopping for Day 2
RM 50.00: Taxi to City Mosque
RM 21.00: Dinner for two (Curry Laksa)
RM 11.00: Evening Snack (Ketul and Drinks)
RM 18.00: Food, Water and Supplies
DAY 2
RM 21.00: Breakfast for two (Yee Fung Laksa)
RM 270.00: Island Hopping Package for two plus Parasailing
RM 17.00: Island Lunch for two
RM 10.00: Ice Kacang for two
RM 51.00: Dinner for two (Waterfront Bay)
RM 19.00: Evening Snacks
DAY 3
RM 14.00: Food supplies, water and bread for two
RM 17.00: Breakfast for two at KFC
RM 17.00: Lunch for two (Chicken Noodle)
RM 5.00: Camera Fee at Poring Hot Spring
RM 4.00: Soda drink for two
RM 176.00: Private Car and Tour Entrances for two
RM 21.00: Dinner for two
RM 10.00: Evening Snack (Ketul)
RM 9.00: Buko Pandan for 1 person
DAY 4:
RM 30.00: Taxi to airport
RM 10.00: Drinks for two (airport)